Skate



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

J. F. BLONDIN, OF NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF, AND F. DOUGLAS, OF NORWICH, CONNECTICUT, N. H. SPOFFORD, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, AND J. B. HERRSHOFF, OF NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK.

SKATE.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 30,195, dated October 2, 1860.

T 0 all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, J. F.v BLONDIN, of Niagara Falls, in the State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Skates; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and eXact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The nature of my invention relates to the construction and arrangement of side supports for the ankle and leg in combination with a. skate 2d in the construction and arrangement of a metallic toe strap.

Figure I is a side elevation. Fig. II is a section on line m-y.

A represents an ordinary skeleton skate runner which is connected to the wood, B, in an ordinary manner.

C, represents a metallic heel band which is connected to the skate Wood by means of screws, d. It rises above the wood, and is so shaped that the boot heel of the wearer will fit snugly therein.

E and E represent two metallic rods or supports, which have a joint or hinge connectionv to the heel of the skate, by means of a bolt or screw as shown at g. The length of these supports should be such as toallow the strap H to buckle around the leg, just below the knee. The strap passes through a staple at the top of the support as shown at V. The supports are so shaped and proportioned as to allow the leg to rest easily between them and should not press upon the ankle joints. The strap H, should be buckled rather loosely around the leg, so as not to retard the circulation of the blood, and yet suiiiciently tight, to hold the supports closely to the leg. The object of this improvement is to strengthen and support the ankle and leg and also to form an easy and convenient mode of fastening the skate to the foot.

During the pleasant and healthful exercise of skating, and which is becoming a favorite winter amusement, the ankle and the muscles of the leg, are liable to be unduly strained and made sore and tender. My improvement is intended to, and does eectually remedy this diiiiculty, and a person using it, can enjoy the amusement and exercise, without weariness or undue straining of the muscles and cords.

I, shows a flat adjustable metal bar, having elbows J, J projecting in opposite directions therefrom. The lower one (J) has a screw thread cut therein, to correspond with the screw K, and the elbow J connects with the metallic strap L, as shown at A groove is cut in the skate wood, sufficient 4to receive the screw K, elbow, J, and swivel block a. A metallic plate, O, covers this groove, so that a chamber is formed in the skate wood for the reception of these parts, as shown in Fig. II. This plate is held to the wood by means of the screws, P. The screw K, passes through this plate, having a bearing therein and by means of a collar formed on its end connects with the stationary swivel block (n) so that the screw will be held from a longitudinal movement, while it is free to be turned in either direction. By turning the screws K, the bars I, will be moved out or in, as may be desired to adjust the same to boots of different widths of sole.

The strap L has a joint or hinge connection to the adjustable bar I, as shown at (m), Fig. II. It also has several holes (s) by which it connects to a pin or hook projecting from the elbow J upon the opposite side, as shown at (t), Figs. I and II.

A skate constructed with my improvement is quickly and conveniently attached to the foot, and as quickly and conveniently removed and is worn with great ease and comfort, and persons wishing to learn to skate can with my improvement acquire the art with great ease and facility.

I claim as my inventionl. The supports E, E, hinged or jointed to the heel, in combination with a skate, for the purposes substantially as herein described.

2. The arrangement of the adjustable bars I, screws K swivel block n plate, O, and strap L for the purposes as herein described.

J. F. BLONDIN.

fitnesses HARRY N. CoLCoRD, E. B. FoRBUsH. 

